Have you ever driven past a house with a nice paint job and artfully arranged landscaping but noticed that the house still looks bare?

This problem is particularly common in older homes with smaller windows, where the front of the home looks flat and without anything to break up the expanse of vinyl siding or brick.

One way to address this problem is to add exterior shutters to break up the space and add a punch of color.

Whether you are looking for decorative window shutters or need storm shutters to protect your home, you have plenty of options to consider.

Consider the following suggestions when adding exterior shutters to your home.

About Exterior Shutters

Exterior window shutters are usually made from vinyl or wood. Vinyl shutters tend to be less expensive and come in many different colors, but they tend to look cheap. Wood shutters are more affordable, but you’ll need to prepare them properly to resist the elements.

Consider purchasing wood shutters made from cedar, which contains oil that makes it naturally moisture resistant. Cedar is also less attractive to bugs than many other woods.

Regardless of what wood you select, you’ll need to treat it to make sure that it can withstand the elements. Application of an oil-based primer and a few layers of paint should do the trick. The more opaque your color, the more light-resistant your window shutters will be.

You can also stain your shutters, but you’ll need to use a finishing product that is specifically designed to be used outdoors.

The process of mounting your shutters is very easy. Obviously, it’s important to measure the space thoroughly to make sure that the windows don’t end up too small or too big. Or, if you have existing shutters and simply want to give them a facelift, measure your existing set. Then, you simply use rust-proof screws to resist the elements (painting over them can also be helpful) and install spacers between the shutter and the house to allow for sufficient ventilation.

If you want your shutters to open and close (or if you need them to in the case of storm shutters), you’ll need to specifically mount them to do that.

Types of Exterior Shutters

Exterior shutters range from the completely decorative, such as fully mounted wood shutters, to the entirely functional, as in aluminium hurricane shutters.

Here are the basic characteristics of each type to help you choose:

Decorative Exterior Window Shutters – Generally, these shutters are mounted to the sides of the house and simply serve a decorative purpose. The wood and vinyl shutters noted above are the most common types. Consider installing them with decorative elements like ironwork or select a shutter with a cutout design to make them more visually interesting.

Storm Shutters – Storm or hurricane shutters must be built to specific requirements. They have to be able to withstand winds up to a certain speed without breaking, and storm shutters that make the grade will be designated by a SBCCI certification. Generally, these shutters are made from fiberglass or aluminum. However, they can still be visually attractive and come in a variety of colors and decorative styles. Note that not every fiberglass or aluminum shutter is a certified storm or hurricane shutter. There are also decorative versions available, so make absolutely sure that you know what you’re purchasing. Generally, because of the high engineering standards, you’ll pay more for these shutters in comparison to decorative models, but the protection afforded your home is well worth the expense.